Planning a wedding is hard work, and not everyone is savvy at event planning, let alone planning a wedding for the first time.
Planning a wedding on your own can be a very hectic and stressful affair, Using a wedding planner instead will significantly save you time and energy as well as stress.
Wedding Planner can provide insight and help the bride and groom with the wedding of their dreams.
Here are several reasons why you need a wedding planner.
•Keep the stress away – A wedding planner will take care of all the details that you don’t need to be stressing about. The wedding planner will handle all the necessary phone calls with vendors and allow you to embrace this special time in your life.
•Keeps you to your wedding budget - Looking to keep costs down with various aspects of your wedding? A wedding planner can make that happen. Since he or she has extensive relationships with vendors and wedding locations, they are more likely to find ways to keep costs down.
•Handles the wedding day chaos: Things will happen on your wedding day that you will have no control over. A wedding planner will keep everything under control so that you can fully enjoy and take in all the greatness that is happening around you.
As much as you would like your day to run exactly as planned, it’s nearly impossible to make that happen without someone there to run the day. Who is going to make sure the vendors arrive on time, the tables are set according to your vision, the cake isn’t melting, On your wedding day, you should be focusing on getting your hair done and putting on that beautiful gown, surrounded by friends and family, not on the phone talking to the caterer who can’t find the venue.
•Vendor relationships: Part of a planners job is to spend time researching and getting to know the best vendors out there. A vendor is more likely to negotiate well with a wedding planner since they are sure to refer continuously and give them repeat business. A bride by herself is a one time customer, but a planner is a repeat one.
•For a vision: Hiring a wedding planner can help most brides that have no idea what they want when it comes to their wedding day.
Planners can help bring to your special day any unique style or touch you have always craved for. They will take time to source for every details, they ensure that they help you achieve a beautiful wedding that will gladden your heart.
NOTE:
To achieve your "Fairytale Wedding", all that is needed is commitment and the right planning.
Good Luck and best wishes on your Wedding Day...
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So you've made the decision to hire a professional wedding planner? Congratulations! In the months leading up to the big day, your wedding planner may very well become your new best friend.
A professional planner helps you maintain your sanity by assisting with all aspects of the event, such as creating a budget, choosing ceremony and reception venues and incorporating a theme or design scheme.
Choosing a wedding planner can often be a leap of faith-after all, it's hopefully a one-time relationship, and you've most likely never hired one before. If you know other couples who've had a positive experience with a planner, you may want to consider asking for a referral. If that's not an option, you'll need to conduct a search for your own-no easy task in itself.
When meeting with a prospective wedding planner, don't rely on personality and likability alone. To ensure that he or she will be able to achieve your vision and execute your special day without a hitch, don't sign a contract until you've received satisfactory answers to the following vital questions:
•Are they detail-oriented?
This is by far the most important trait for a wedding planner to possess. Don't just take their word for it! request references from previous clients. If a planner is doing their job well, they should have a repertoire of dozens of satisfied brides and grooms more than happy to rave about their experience.
•Are they a control freak?
Remember, unless you've instructed them otherwise, the wedding planner's job is to guide you through every step of the process, not to completely take over. Make sure the planner you choose is willing to let you have as much say as you want to ensure that your celebration is unique to you.
Does the planner have established relationships with local wedding vendors?
Ideally, they should be able to make informed recommendations for florists, travel agents, caterers, and other merchants. That said, make sure they truly have your best interests in mind and aren't suggesting a company for the sole purpose of receiving a monetary kick-back. A good wedding planner should use their connections to benefit you, not themselves.
Are they willing to manage all of your vendor communications?
This can be a huge time-saver, eliminating dozens of follow-up calls and confirmations. A comprehensive planning service should include the handling of all merchant relationships.
Is your prospective planner abreast of the latest trends and fashions for modern weddings?
Unless you're striving for a period-themed event, you probably don't want your ceremony and reception to exude a dated air.
Do they hold a certification or diploma from a reputable wedding planning school or association?
Keep in mind that while a degree is preferred, it's not absolutely essential-education can't replace the value of seasoned experience and beneficial connections, however if they belong to some sort of association it helps to establish them as a reputable vendor.
What's their communication style?
Are they easily accessible via cell phone and email? Are they available on evenings and weekends? The most in-demand wedding planners provide "on call" service to their clients.
Does the planner coordinate weddings as his or her full-time job, or are they just moonlighting?
If they're committed to another "day job" and just plan weddings on the side, you may find it more difficult to track them down when you (or your vendors) need them.
After getting all of the answers to these important questions, consider whether you get a "good vibe" about the prospective wedding planner. Never underestimate the importance of your own personal judgment. You'll be working closely with your wedding planner for many months to come, so it's crucial that you feel comfortable communicating with them. In the best case scenario, you'll emerge from the experience as a very satisfied bride who's gained countless priceless memories-and is prepared to share a glowing referral to other couples.
When it comes to working out a wedding budget for your big day, there are more than a few [potentially conflicting] factors to consider: the items or services you want, the amount you're willing to spend on them, and their actual cost! If you've been dreading your wedding cost calculations, the following steps can help you and the groom tackle your budget head-on.
7 Easy Steps To A Manageable Wedding Budget
1. Schedule some time for both you and the groom to sit down and draft up your budget. Remember: there's no such thing as "too early" when it comes to planning out your wedding costs - the earlier you get started, the more options will be available to you, and the fewer last minute "convenience costs" you'll have to pay.
2. When you and the groom both have a few hours set aside, begin by preparing a chart with three columns and about 30 rows. Label the first column, "Wedding Item or Service"; the second column, "Willing to Spend"; and the third column, "Actual Cost."
3. In the rows beneath "Wedding Item or Service", write down all of the things that require payment for your wedding in the order they're required. For example, start with items and services you'll need before the wedding, such as wedding invitations, announcements, postage stamps, the bridal gown, and the groom's tuxedo. Continue with items and services that will be required as you get closer to the wedding date, such as the rehearsal dinner, pre-wedding thank you gifts for the bridesmaids and groomsmen, and pre-wedding gifts exchanged between the bride and groom.
4. Since the items and services for your wedding day will take up most of the budget, break those ones down into the following sub-categories to keep things simple:
Wedding Day
Venues: Rental fees for the ceremony location and reception location.
Services: Think of all the people that will be 'employed' on your wedding day and require payment, i.e. the bride's hairstylist and cosmetologist, the person officiating the ceremony, the ceremony musician, the photographer, the videographer, the driver, the DJ, the reception caterers, and the reception bartenders.
Decorations and accessories: These might include items such as pew covers for the church, flower arrangements, bouquets for the bride and bridesmaids, reception chair covers, tablecloths, the guest book, and wedding favours.
Food: This includes the meals at the reception, the wedding cake, and bottles of wine on the tables at the reception.
5. Move on to post-wedding items and services, such as the wedding party brunch, honeymoon, thank you notes and postage stamps.
6. Once you've written down all of the items and services you can think of, start filling in the respective amounts in the "Willing to Spend" column. This column will probably need to be revised once you gather quotes and get a feel for how much everything costs, so don't worry about filling in the exact dollar amount - even a percentage of your total wedding budget is fine.
7. Start gathering quotes from vendors for items and services and add them to the "Actual Cost" column. Once you have an idea of the actual costs, you can start reallocating some of your budget funds; i.e. if the reception meals turn out to be way more than you anticipated or were initially willing to spend, that will likely mean borrowing from the amount allocated to another item or service.
And finally, if all of this budget talk has got you freaked out, you might consider looking into the possibility of hiring a Wedding Planner...
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Sometimes, turning your wedding planning visions into reality doesn't accommodate your pocketbook, especially in such economically trying times. Thankfully, being frugal and budget oriented does not mean taking away from the special details that will make your wedding unforgettable. DIY is not always budget-driven creativity is important and getting-it-exactly-right as well.
Either way, do-it-yourself weddings are "in" and with so many couples embracing the DIY movement, we 're always busy helping you along the way with as many easy, affordable and practical ideas as we can collect. Today, more "do-it-yourself" centrepiece ideas that will impress even your most discerning of guests.
1. Glasses
Rent some large Martini glasses (or other glass vases) and fill them with either clear or coloured gel balls; add a small LED light or candle. Or, skip the candle and add flowers or seasonal fruit.
Or simpler yet: find some large water goblets and place them upside down on your table with a flower inside each one, plus a small candle on the top.
Or, place one single flower in a wine glass; you can even add some pearls to each for effect. Assemble three or more of these glasses on your table's centre and you have a very unique and elegant centrepiece.
2. Candles
Candles are always a wedding favourite. You can buy lots of candles and arrange them any way you like to create a memorable and eye catching centerpiece.
For example, buy lots of little candles and a multi-tiered cake plate for each table. Arrange the candles on each cake plate to create a stunning illusion.
Or, keep it simple with a variety of tall thin candle holders and a simple tall candle to match...
3. Themed Centrepieces
If you really don't know what you would like to use on your tables as décor, one of the simplest ways to find the perfect centerpiece is to choose an item that represents the two of you as a couple!
For example, if you are coffee or tea lovers, place a coffee or tea pot at each table. Remove the lid and place flowers on top. Rest the lid next to the pot with the table number on it...
"Creating centerpieces for your wedding can be fun and creative. Just use your imagination and you will undoubtedly come up with something that will be a one of a kind DIY masterpiece"
African themed wedding decor is a brilliant idea if you want to incorporate your roots in the ceremony or if you love Africa and want to bring bits of it to your ceremony. To incorporate Africa into your wedding decor you want to consider culture, sculptures, fabric, texture and more. Include such things as calabashes, guards, jewellery, vases and dried flowers.
The hall or tent you use needs to be draped in various African fabrics. Use Maasai red, kitenge, kanga or kikoy fabric. You can use the drapery on your chairs and tables, on the walkways, stage area and more. The centre pieces you select can reflect African culture and can include baobab tree sculptures made from banana leaves, wire figurines, calabashes, sculptures made from soapstone or pots. African colors tend to be either bright or earth colors. Incorporate these as well as various African prints.
Flowers, especially dried flowers, are a great addition to African themed wedding decor. Put them in a vase and wrap the vase in African print fabric to create centerpieces for your tables. Get the dried flowers in the colors that best reflect Africa or those within your wedding color scheme. Sculptures will add flair and drama to your African themed wedding decor. You can go for wood, stone or metal sculptures and these can be of animals, people or things. African masks are a great idea as well.
African themed wedding decor is a great idea that gives vast creative possibilities.
Have fun creating your dream African Wedding!
Call 07062995569 if you need assistance creating your African Theme Wedding Decoration...
There are times you may want to plan an event yourself, This can happen for any number of reasons:
1. If you have a limited budget for the event.
2. If you have a small number of attendees.
3. If you want to get experience planning your own events.
Whatever your reason is, here are a few tips to doing it yourself.
Venue Selection
Have you picked a venue yet? Write out how many attendees you will have and pick an appropriate facility that can accommodate your invite list.
Does the venue offer clean-up service? Does the venue have room for you to bring food? Does the venue have chairs and tables or do you need to bring your own? Be sure to ask these important questions.
Food
Decide if you will have food at the event and how you will transport it. Will you do all the cooking and be bringing it yourself? If you are, then ask friends and family to help you with it early in advance.
Entertainment
Most events (birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations) will have entertainment. Be sure you find out if the venue has speakers, stereo systems, projectors, and microphones if you need them. What will the theme of your party be? Often times your entertainment will coincide with the party theme.
Parking
Most venues have dedicated parking lots for you and your guests to use. You should include parking details in your invitation so guests know exactly where to go.
You can plan most small events yourself just by covering these four main areas: Venue Selection; Food; Entertainment and Parking.
While finding a job can be difficult at times, it is important that you stay persistent and keep submitting resumes. If you start to get discouraged with your search, take extra time to analyse your resume and make sure you are submitting the best possible applications. Sometimes employers require very specific application procedures so be sure you read their ad carefully and abide by their application process. Below are a few tips you can use to land your dream job.
Tip 1: Determine your Skill Set
The first step to take is to properly determine your skill set. Determining which skills you possess that help set you apart from the competition will allow you to create a much more focused resume. Take an honest assessment of your best and worst skills. Brainstorm and write them all down – highlight the positive skills and figure out how to spin the negatives into positives. You will be able to highlight the different characteristics you possess that make you a perfect candidate for an event planning job.
Be sure to highlight and apply your best characteristics for how they relate to the event planning world. You want to make it as clear as possible to an employer that you have what it takes to get the job done. Taking an honest assessment of your skills prior to applying will help you put your best foot forward on your resume and in interviews.
Tip 2: Tailor your Resume to Each Job Opening
This tip is obvious but you would be shocked at how many applicants copy and paste the same resume, cover letter and email to every employer, regardless of the job criteria. This is a huge mistake and by simply applying this tip you will put yourself ahead of 50 – 60% of job applicants.
Every event planning job opening will require a slightly different skill set. Carefully reading the job description and day to day responsibilities expected will allow you to tailor your resume to highlight your previous work experience that directly correlates to the skill set an employer is seeking.
Submitting a resume that is laser focused on the skills required for a specific position will greatly increase your chances of landing that job as you will be able to demonstrate your experience within the event planning industry that specifically match that job opening.
Tip 3: Apply your Skill Set to Event Planning
While you may consider yourself an organised individual, simply listed “organised” on your resume will not get you far when seeking a job within the events industry. Rather than listing generic traits and qualities, you will want to mention specific tasks you handled at previous jobs that demonstrate your organisational skills.
For instance, if you were in charge of putting together a guest list for a large event, you could state that the number of guests you added to the list, number of invitations sent out and the time frame within which you accomplished these tasks. This will give a future employer a much better understanding as to your ability to meet deadlines and complete tasks as instructed.
Tip 4: Use Modern Job Search Strategies
The way people are searching for a job is changing with advancements in technology. Specifically, the way people network is vastly different than it was 10-15 years ago. Making use of social media websites to network with influential people and decision makers in the events industry is a terrific way to meet other industry professionals and further your career. Often times when a company is hiring they will look through their LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter connections before looking outside of their immediate network.
Finding new and unique ways to network with people who are currently employed in the industry is one of the best ways to improve your chances of landing your dream job. One example is conducting informational interviews with executives at planning companies. Try doing informational interviews with events people in different niches – social events, corporate events, weddings, meeting planners, etc so you get the full spectrum of job responsibilities. Another example is to follow up via email with everyone you meet within 24 hours so they remember you. People meet many other people at networking events so you want to make sure you stand out above others by following up right away before you need to call on a favour.
Using this strategy will get your name and resume in front of decision makers who may eventually have a position open up at their company.
Tip 5: Keep Learning the Latest Event Trends
Perhaps the most important thing you can do is continue to stay on top of the latest trends, news and goings-on within the industry. Event planning is a dynamic field where things change. You must always be up-to-date on your knowledge of best practices and industry events.
If you are going through a prolonged period of unemployment, you could internship or volunteer at events to keep your skills sharp. Lack of experience is often the biggest obstacle a new job seeker faces. Without real-world event planning experience, it is difficult to demonstrate to an employer that you have what it takes to get the job done on a consistent basis.
Taking time to volunteer with local organisations or intern with smaller event planning businesses will enable you to gain valuable work experience that you can put on your resume to show you are doing everything that you can to land an event planning career. The more related work experience you can put on your resume the better your chances of landing the job.
Using the tips outlined in this article should help you perfect the process of capturing the attention of decision makers who will be hiring you.
